Understanding a cancer patient A tribute to my sister Elisabeth

I lived with my sister for 6 months while she was fighting stage 4 breast cancer that had spread and ended up in her liver. Not having had cancer at the time, I felt at a loss on how to help her. I wanted so much to do all I could to make her feel that she was not alone. I felt so powerless. My sister was younger then me by 3 years but somehow always seemed to be protecting me, hence did not tell me the severity of her condition. I found out by accident. My point being that since now I have cancer (CC) I understand so much more. For example, why she did want to eat certain food or drink coffee anymore. Chemo makes your taste buds change., food or drinks don’t taste as they used to. You can crave something and then when you eat it you are disappointed. Then there is the nausea, the lack of energy and the frustration of not being able to do as much as you used to. She would not talk about her illness and was fiercely independent and got upset when she had to depend on someone. I didn’t understand how she could be so brave but I do now. Hence, she has been an inspiration for me. She would have been 66 years old this month but died in 2013. I was with her and took care of her funeral. You should have seen how many people came, friends and co_workers and neighbors. My little sister was loved and liked by all of them. She is missed.